Type-writing machine.



No. 630,060. Patented Au'g.'|, |899. W. P. KIDDER. TYPE WRITING MACHINE.

(Application led Nov. 17, 1896.)

4 Sheets-Sheet l.

(No Model.)

WIM 55559.51

nu. 030,060. Patented Aug. l, |309. w. P. Klonen.

TYPE WRITING MACHINE.

(Applicgtion filed Nov. 17, 1896.)

4 Sheets--Sheet 2.

(No Modal.)

001km'. /K

rm 'f Tn: Norms mens w. wnoauwu. wAsmNoroN. n. c.

Paten'cd- Aug. I, |899.

W. P. KIDDER. TYPE WRITING MACHINE.

(Application led Nov. 1'7, 1898.)

4 Sheets-Sheet 3.

(No Model.)

www' Jn No. 630,060. Patented Aug. I, |899.

w. P. Klonen. TYPE WRITING MACHINE.

(Applics.t;,\n led Nov. 17, 1896.)

(No Model.) .6 4 SheetS-Sheet 4.

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mm l l IIII fflllll'll W/LUMMH. Z had' UNiiEn STATES PATENT OFFICE.

VICLLlGTON PARKER KIDDER, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

TYPE-WRITING MACHIN.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 630,060, dated August 1, 1899. Application led November 17, 1896. Serial No. 6123528. (No model.)

Be itknown that I, WELLINGTON PARKER K'IDDER, a citizen of theUnited States, residing at Boston, in the county of Suffolk and State of Massachusetts, have invented a new and useful Type-lVriting Machine, of which the following is a specificatiomreference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

Figure lis a rear elevation of my new typewriting machine. Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation from front to rear thereof on line 2 2 of Fig 3, showing in full side elevation t-he preferred arrangement of the type-bar-actuating mechanism, the mechanism for raising and lowering the ink-ribbon and the mechanism for actuating the escapement in this view being in normal position of rest. Fig. 3 is a top plan view of said machine. -Fig. 4 is a View, partly in section, on a portion of line 2 2 of Fig. 3, showing in side elevation parts of the key action, escapement, and ribbon-lifting mechanism in positions the opposite of the positions of corresponding parts shown in Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a detail of the escapement mechanism, of the drop-rack and aircushioning marginal stop mechanism, and of the ribbon raising and lowering mechanism. Fig. Gis an end elevation of a portion of the paper-carriage. Fig. 7 is a side elevation of that'end of the paper-carriage whichis shown in Fig. 6. Fig. 8 is a detail in plan view ot the escapement mechanism. provided with a rocking cam and air-cushioning device. Fig. E) is a top plan view of ribbon-feed mechanism. Fig. 10 is a view, partly in section, on line 10 l0 of Fig. f). Figs. ll and l2 show details.

The main object of my invention is to produce a type-writing machine which is silent in its operation.

Generally speaking, the objectionable noise produced by type-writing machines in operation is mainly due, first, to impact of a type against the paper; second, to concussion of parts of the escapement mechanism; third, to concussion in the carriage-shift mechanism arising from contact ot' a moving part with a stop; fourth, to concussion of the paper-carriage (when moved from left to right) with a marginal stop, and, fifth, to concussion, in many constructions, arising from the 'impact of the impression-key or some connected part with its arresting mechanism, this cone cnssion being independent of that produced by the impact of the type with the platen.

In constructing my new machine I overcome the objections referred to by air-cushioning the moving member and stop, and in some parts of the machine,which do not readily permit of the use of air-cushions, by mechanical arrangements which embody important features of my invention.

My invention consists in the combinations hereinafter described and claimed.

In the drawings illustrating the principle of my invention and the best mode now known to me of applying that principle, A is a main frame, and Al A2 stationary rods supported by upright extensions ct a" of frame A. Fig. l.) Carriage B slides endwise on rods A' A2 and is movable vertically from one im# pression position to another, there being, preferably, three impression positions and three characters on a type-head. Carriage l is provided with a lengthwise groove h, in which the projection b (preferably in the form of a roll) of the double rocker-arm b2 projects. The platen Pis shifted from its normalin this case the highestimpression position to its other impression positions by means of this double rocker-arm and connections with the shift-key S, as inmy older machines. My old movable stop M is also combined herein with the carriage to arrest it at an intermediate impression position. In my present machine each end of the rocker-arm b2 is provided with an air-cushioning device in accordance with the main feature of my present invention. Dash pots B B2 are mounted opposite the end portions of the rockerarn1 b2, to which rods b3 are loosely jointed, each rod carrying a piston'bt These dash-pots are provided with valves b5, Which are seated on the inner surfaces of the dashpots and are exposed on the outer side. NVhen either end of the rocker-arm is moved toward a dash-pot, the piston b4, movingto'i ward the bottom of the dash-pot, compresses the air therein and an aircushion is formed which prevents the noise that has heretofore arisen from the concussion of the ends of the rocker-arm h2 with stops provided for arresting it. As the air is being compressed it (See IOO

forces the valve b5 snugly on its seat and prevents escape of air through the valve-opening; but when the piston moves away from the bottom of the dash-pot atmospheric pressure on the outer surface of the valve lifts the valve off its seat and prevents in the dashpot the formation of a vacuum, which would tend to prevent the desired quick action of the machine. For the most effective results it is necessary that the effective air-cushion should be formed at different points in the dash-pot B corresponding to the different shifted positions of the paper-carriage, and as in this form of my machine the carriage has two shifted positions provision is made for forming an air-cushion at two points in the dash-pot B in the downstroke of its piston and provision is made for forming an aircushion in dash-pot B2 on the return of the carriage to its normal position. The papercarriage is shown in its highest position. When the swinging stop m on stop-carrier M is in the path of the projection m on the double rocker-arm b2, the carriage is arrested at its intermediate impression position, and when the stop m is moved out of the path of projection m the carriage is arrested at its lowest impression position. In these general respects the present machineis like my older machine, and mention is here made of these adjusted impression positions of the carriage to more clearly explain the mode of operation of the present structure.

Referring now to the dash-pot B and keeping in mind the fact that an effective aircushion is to be formed, when the projection m engagesthe stop m to minimize the noise of the contact thereon it is to be noted that the Wall of the dash-pot has an orifice b, which is covered by the piston b4 when the carriage is at its intermediate position, (see, for the position of the piston b4, Fig. 2,) the inward movement of the piston compressing the air and forming an air-cushion which is eective at the moment the parts m and m contact. When an air-cushion is to be formed for the lowest impression position of the carriage, it is necessary that an air-cushion should not be formed at the intermediate position, and I accordingly combine with the movable stop mechanism a valve 57, which is conveniently formed and operated as follows: Dash-pot B being formed with 'an orifice 58, (see Fig. 2,) the valve 137 (preferably in the form of a collar surrounding the dash-pot) is formed with an orifice b9, (see Fig. 1,) when the stop fm is moved out of the path of projection m', the valve 117 being connected-bya link bw to the stop-carrier M, stop mis moved out of the path of the projection m by moving stop-carrier M to the right, (viewing the machine from the rear, as shown in Fig. 1,) and the collar or valve B7 is thereby pulled around on the dash-pot B to bring orifice b9 in line with oriice bs. Consequently as the piston b4 moves inwardly to make the lowest air-cushion imprisonment of the air is prevented by the open orifices b and then by the coincident open orices bs and b9; but when the piston has passed these coincident orifices bs b9 the air is confined between the opposed walls of the piston and the dash-pot,

thereby forming anV air-cushion for the lowest impression position of the carriage.

Referring now to dash-pot B2, wherein an air-cushion is formed to prevent noise on the return of the paper-carriage to its normal or highest position, the orifice b, near the lower end of this dash-pot, prevents the imprisonment of air, and consequently the formation of an air-cushion therein, until the piston b4 of this dash-pot reaches the position which it takes when the carriage is reaching its highest position. Then the piston b4 covers the orifice Z911 and an air-cushion is formed. Piston-rod b3 of this dash-pot B2 is a loose fit in the top guide-plate Z912 of this dash-pot, and consequently an ai r-cushion is not formed between the upper or back side of the piston and the top of the dash-pot B2 when the piston of dash-pot B' is moved down and the piston of dash-pot B2 given a coincident upward movement.

I do not wish to be understood to mean that a valve is in all cases necessary in my air-cushioning devices. In the present form of my invention a rocker-arm b2 (see Fig. l) is journaled on a projection a from frame A, and the rocker-shaft A3, which forms part of the connection of the rocker-arm b2 with the shift-key S, is connected with the rockerarm b2 by means of a link Z713, attached at one end to an arm Z914 on rocker-shaft A and at the other end with the rocker-arm b2. This construction enables me to mount the rocker A3 lower down in the machine than heretofore and to thereby more conveniently get it out of the way of the other operating mechanism of the machine.

Heretofore much noise has been made by the concussion of the paper-carriage with the stop heretofore at the right-hand' or return end of the carriage. In my new machine I provide carriage B with a suitable piston Z915 at its return end and mount a dash-pot 1916 in I IO line with this piston, so that when the car- 4 riage is returned an air-cushioning stop is formed, rendering the return noiseless. This dash-pot (see Figs. l, 3, and ll) is also preferably provided with a valve b", opened by the outward atmospheric pressure, to prevent the formation of a vacuum in the dashpot 1916 on the return movement of the piston. In its present form the piston Z915 is a centrally-bored block or sleeve sliding on rod A2 and forms part of` the escapement-rack support and guide for the arm 1918 of the carriage B. From the lengthwise-grooved bar b of carriage arms Us and 1919 project and are connected near their outer ends by the cross-bar b2". The cross-bar b21 connects piston-sleeve b and sleeve Z922, (see Figs. 1, and 7,) and both sleeves slide on rod A2, the arms blsand b1? being formed with grooves Z130, in which enter and slide vertically the tongues Z251 on the rear sides ot the piston-sleeve Z215 aud connected sleeve Z122. Sleeves Z215 and Z222, with the tie-rod or cross-bar Z221, constitute a yoke, and in the sleeves or end pieces of the yoke there is journaled a shaft Z225, carrying pinions Z224, which mesh with racks Z225 on the arms Z112 and Z219. (See Figs. 6, 7, and 2.) This construction is not new in my present machine, but is described to more clearly set forth the operation of my new platen. The platen P (see Figs. l and 2) in this my new machine is wholly new in principle and embodies a very important feature of my present invention. Referring to the embodiment of this feature of my invention now shown, platen P is a block which projects in front of the feed-rolls R R (see Figs. 2 and 7) and over which the paper is fed for impression. Platen P has no movement toward the ends of the paper-carriage, but is movable in a vertical path, together with'the paper-carriage, to keep it always in position to receive impression. The platen is loose on cross-rod Z220 (see Figs. 1, 2, and 3) and is formed with a vertical guide-piece p, mounted in vertical ways p', formed in a block p2, mounted fast on rod A. It is desirable in practice to suit different thicknesses of paper and in manifolding to give a slight adjustment to the platen from and toward the type-bars, and I accordingly mount a truss p5 on frame A op- .posite block p2 and interpose an adjustingscrew p4 between the truss and the block. Turning the screw in one direction springs the bar or rod A' slightly inward, and thereby slightly moves the platen nearer the contact position of the type-heads, and turning the screw in the opposite direction allows the bar or rod to spring back to its normal position. This adjustment is notV essential and is always very slight; but it is an advantage readily obtained. The great advantage of my new platen is that l obviate the use of a feed-roll for that purpose. lVhen a feed or other roll is used as a platen, it speedily becomes unequally worn and impairs that uniformity of impression which is a recognized desideratum. My new platen, on the contrary, has but one work surface and that is always in the same operative relation to the types. Another advantage due to my new platen is that I am enabled to use'very much smaller feed-rolls than heretofore, and this cheapens and lightens the paper-carriage.

The line-space mechanism of my new machine embodies other features of my invention. (See Figs. 7, 6, l, and 2.) Feed-roll R,

journaled in arms Z215 and Z212, is provided witha toothed segment T, loosely mounted on the shaft of the roll. A rack T is mounted in a guide T2. The rack has a slot T5, within which there projects a stud T4 from arm T19. The rack-bar T is preferably provided with a `piston T5, working in a dash-pot T5, mounted on arm Z315, so that an air-cushion is formed for the rack-bar when brought to its normal poi sition. The shaft of roll R is provided with a ratchet T7, fast thereon, and toothed segment T carries a pawl T5, which meshes with the ratchet. 'lhe line-space lever R2 has a tooth T5 that enters a recess T1U in rack-bar T', and when lever R2 is moved inwardly the rack-bar T is moved downwardly, and as the rack-bar is in engagement with pinion T this pinion is rocked to bring pawl T8 against a tooth of ratchet T7, fast on the shaft or journal of feedroll R, which is thereby rotated to feed the paper between itself and roll R up over platen P, the upper end of the paper being turned backward. A spring T12 is used to keep pawl TS in working position relatively to the ratchet T7. An auxiliary line-space lever R3 (see Fig. l) is provided at the other end of the carriage, so that the carriage may be conveniently returned. Lever R3 is pivoted to an ear of arm Z215 and is connected to lever R2 by a tie-rod T15, so that movement given to either one of the levers is communicated to the other lever. Escapement-rack R4 (see Figs. 5 and 8) is p'rovided with lugs T14 (see Figs. 5 and 3) near its ends, and these lugs are pi voted on portions of sleeves Z215 and Z922, which slide on rod A2. Rack R4 is so mounted that it falls downwardly into the path of escapement R52, Figs. 5 and 8, of its own weight. One arm of a double rocker-lever T17, Figs. 3 and 5, which is pivoted on piston-sleeve Z215, enters a notch in an end portion of the rack R4. The other arm of this lever T1T is formed with an up turned eye T15. Lever R2 is provided with a projection T15, Fig. l, which is straddled by the slotted push-rod R5, the farther end of which lies in the eye T18 and has a shoulder T20, adapted to engage an adj acentportion of lever T17. A push on rod R5 when its shoulder is in position to engage the lever T17 rocks lever T17, and rack R4 is thereby rocked on its pivots and out of the path of the escapement. A spring (not shown) returns the push-rod or drop rack-trip to its normal position. The eye T18 is large enough to permit the shouldered end portion of the rod R5 to move freely and to be lifted so as to carry its shoulder out of engagement with the lever T17. This shouldered end of rod R5 projects beyond eye T15 and is upturned to ride up over dash-pot Z215, which serves as an abutment, so that the shoulder is carried out of engagement with the lever when the paper-carriage is moved to the extreme right of the machine and the rack-bar allowed to drop back into the path of the escapement.

Escapement-tooth R5* is pivoted on a block T22 on the rocker-bar T25, journaled in uprights T24. This rocker-bar T23 has arms T25 T25, from which links T26 T25 extend to and support the universal bar T21, upon which impression-keys K rest. An abutment T28 on block T21keeps the escapement-tooth R5* from displacement, and the block is provided with a tooth T22,which rocks into engagement with teeth of the rack R4 when escapement-tooth R5* is rocked out of engagement with the IOO IIO

piston T32, playing in dash-pot T33.

teeth of the rack. Block T22 also supports an oscillating cam T30, which is in constant engagement with a side of the laterally-oscillating escapement-tooth R523 and this cam is connected with a piston-rod T31, carrying a When the escapement-tooth R5* is in engagement with rack R4, tooth T29 is out of engagement with the rack, as shown in Fig. 2, and in engagement in Fig. 4. In Fig. 8, which is a top plan view, the escapement-tooth R5* is shown out of engagement with the rack and tooth T29 in engagement with the rack. In this position piston T32 is in its extreme position away from the bottom of the dash-pot T33. As shaft T23 is rocked to carry tooth T29 out of engagement with, and escapement-tooth R5* into engagement with,rack R1 the paper-carriage is pulled along to the left by its actuating mechanism, and as the rack is carried to the left,with the paper-carriage, the oscillating escapementtooth R5* is swung to the left 'against the cam T39,`thereby forcing the piston toward the bottom of its dash-pot and forming an air-cushion. When escapement-tooth R5* is rocked out of engagement with the rack and tooth T2s rocked into engagement therewith, the compressed air in the dash-pot expands, and as the laterally-oscillating escapement-tooth R5* is now free to move it is pressed back against its abutment T28 into the position to enter the next space between teeth of the rack R4 by the expansion of air against piston T32. v

Block T22,which is, in elfect, a part of rockershaft T23, is connected by arm T31 and a link T35, attached to the arm, with a spring T33, which is secured to any suitable part of frame A. Whenever the universal bar T2T is depressed by depression of an im pression-key K or by depression of the spacing-frame K', (see Fig. 3,) members of which also rest on the universal bar, shaft T23 is rocked, throwing escapement-tooth R5* upwardly against the tension of spring T33, which serves to rock the escapement-tooth back into engagement with the rack when the key orspacing-frame is released.

In my present machine (see Fig. 2) each key-lever K rests on a rocking cam 7o, journ-aled on a cross-rod 7o and held in place against its key by a spring 762, one end of which is conveniently attached to the leverarm k3 of the cam and the other end to a cross-bar h4. Cross-rod 7c' and cross-bar k1 are conveniently mounted in opposite sides of frame A. When a key-lever is depressed, the rocker-cam supports it during its downward motion and at the end of the downward motion silently arrests the key-lever without any concussion whatever. This is a very important feature of my invention and is one of the most important factors in the production of my present silent type-writing machines.

The ink-ribbon I is supported between the platen and type-heads by swinging guides t',

hinged to levers t, which are hinged at i2 conveniently to the under side of the typehead-supporting plate. These levers t' rest, preferably, on anged guide-rolls t3, journaled in rocker-arms t1, one for each lever t', from rocker-shaft T23. Ribbon I is wound from one spool I' by means of a pawl t5, engaging the ratchet i3 of a spool. Pawl t5 is attached to a swinging lever il, fulcrumed at 3, and connected by link t3 with rocker-arm 114. Pawl is loosely jointed to the actuating-lever t2, so as to be swung into Working position with either spool I. The pawl i5 is supported by and slides down the inclines 1110 @'11, as shown in Figs. 9 and 10.

It will be obvious to all skilled in the art that my machine may be widely varied in many respects without departure from my invention, and I Wish to be understood as claiming my invention in the broadest legally permissible manner.

What I claim isml. In a type-Writing machine, the combination of a feed-rack,an escapement device comprising a rolling cam, a piston and dash-pot, the piston being connected to a rolling cam.

2. In a type-writing machine, the combination of a vertically-adj ustable, endwise-moving paper-carriage; astop-carrier; a double rocker-lever; a pair of piston-rods and pistons and cooperating dash-pots, one pistonrod, piston and dash-pot being provided for each arm of said double rocker-lever.

3. ln a type-writing machine, the combina-` tion of a feed-roll with a pinion loose on the roll; a sliding rack; a ratchet fast on the feedroll; a pawl on said pinion; and aline-space lever engaging said rack.

4. In a type-writing macl1ine,the combination of a feed-roll with a pinion loose on the roll; a sliding rack; a ratchet fast on the feed-roll; a pawl on said pinion; a line-space lever engaging said rack; a piston on the rack and a dash-pot for the piston.

5. In a type-writing machine, the combination of a paper-carriage; a toothed rack extending endwise thereof; a rocking block carrying a plurality of escapement-teeth,one of which is pivoted on the block and carrying also a rocking cam which engages the pivoted escapement-tooth; and means for actuating the cam.

6. In a type-writing machine, the combination of a paper-carriage; a toothed rack extending endwise thereof; a rocking block carrying a plurality of escapement-teeth one of which is pivoted on the block; a rocking cam mounted on said block; and a device for silently operating the rocking cam and pivoted escapement-tooth, said device comprising as complementary members a piston and dash-pot, one of which is connected with the rocking cam.

7. In atype-writing machine, the combination of a plurality of type-carriers; a plurality of impression-key levers connected with said type-carriers; a universal bar in IIO eedoeo 5 the path of said key-levers; and a plurality of rolling cams one for each key-lever.

8. In a type-writing or like machine, the combination of an endwise-reciprocating and vertically-adjustable paper-carriage; a double rocker-arm connected therewith; a piston and dash-pot, one of which is carried by an arm of the double rocker-arm; amovable stop mechanism; and a valve connected therewith; said dash-pot having an oriiice controlled by said valve.

9. In a type-Writing or like machine, the combination of a loosely -mounted escapement-rack with a double rocker-lever, an arm of which is connected with said rack; and a push-rod engaging with said double rockerlever; and extending crosswise the machine.

10. In a type-Writing or like machine, the combination of a looselymounted escapement-rack with a double rocker-lever7 an arm of which is connected with said rack; a pushrod engaging with said double rocker-lever; and an abutment; said push-rod having a projecting end which rides on said abutment when the paper-carriage is at an end of the machine.

ll. Inatype-writing n1achine,the combination of an endWise-movable and verticallyadjustable paper-carriage with a series ofendWise-movable type-bars, each carrying a plurality of types; aseries ofimpression-keys and of toggle connections for the impressionkeys and type-bars; silently-operating supports, substantially as set forth, for the impression-keys; a silently-operating stop device substantially such as described for arresting the paper-carriage when it is returned; silently-operating stop devices, substantially as described, for both the upward and downward movement of the paper-carriage; and an intermittent feed mechanism for the papercarriage comprising a rack and escapement with silently-actuating devices therefor said devices being substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses, on this 31st day of October, A. D. 1896.

WELLINGTON PARKER KIDDER..

Vitnesses:

EDWARD S. BEACH, E. A. ALLEN. 

